Lawson Annesley founded Annesley and Co. in Albany, New York in 1802. After a few years taking on different partners, Annesley’s sons took over the business, which remained headed by the family until 1909. The company was known for selling fine furniture, looking glasses, and artist’s supplies, and was often referred to as the “Albany Art Gallery.” Annesley and Co. closed in the 1940s. This collection contains a daybook, advertisements, and a price list.

Jared Holt opened his leather store in Albany, New York, in 1834. The company eventually grew to become well-known in the shoe wax industry and closed in 1992.

Adam Blake, Jr. (1830-1881) had a well-established career in the hotel industry prior to having the Kenmore Hotel built in 1878. The adopted son of a man who had been enslaved, Adam worked his way up in the hotel industry, and eventually opened the Kenmore, for which he spared no expense. Although Blake died before he could long enjoy the fruits of his labor, the Kenmore continued for many years, and was eventually purchased and renovated into luxury apartments.

The collection contains minutes from organization meetings, newspaper clippings, show announcements, call for art posters, prints, photographs, both business related and personal correspondence including thank you notes and holiday greeting cards, newsletters from the organization, archive draft ideas, ledgers, ballots, material regarding the annual “Art on Lark” and “1st Friday” festivals, and fundraiser advertisements in various forms including posters and post cards. Also included are various business documents in relation to the Albany Institute including Deed of Gift paperwork, Bylaws, and Application for Tax Exemption.

When Stephen van Rensselaer inherited the rights to the Manor of Rensselaerswyck in 1785, a survey of the holdings was made. The holdings were divided into two parts: the East Manor and the West Manor. The East Manor consisted of the areas known as Elizabethtown (Brunswick), Phillipstown (Nassau), Roxborough (Grafton), Greenbush, Schodack, Stephentown, Middletown, and Little Hoosick. This collection contains correspondence, financial records, reports, advertisements, troop rosters, property records, inventories, and other related materials.